The Cat in the Hat was back to celebrate the 17th annual Read Across America Day, held on March 3. Read Across America is a program that focuses on bringing awareness and motivating children to read. The event is always held on or near the March 2 birthday of children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.

Janet Hay of the Oakdale Joint Unified School District will represent Stanislaus County in the 2014 State Classified School Employees of the Year Program in the Child Nutrition category, recently announced by the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Stanislaus Charter.

Parents of eighth grade students who will enter the ninth grade for the 2014-2015 school year at Oakdale High School are invited to attend the Eighth Grade Parent Informational Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the OHS main gym.

Valley Charter High School's (VCHS) Open House is slated for Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 6:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the school, 108 Campus Way, Modesto. The open house is an opportunity for all parents and prospective students to meet students and teachers and to learn more about the programs offered in collaboration with Modesto Junior College and how to enroll for the current and upcoming school years. A robotics league match will be running during the open house. Spectators will be able to enjoy the excitement and view robotics opportunities for younger siblings.

Students from 10 Stanislaus County schools, including Valley Home School, and two Stanislaus County organizations will participate in the Stanislaus County Mock Future City Competition on Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 4p.m. – 8p.m. at the Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St., Modesto. The final round of the competition is open to the public and begins at 6:15p.m.

Starting Jan. 1, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (H.R. 2094) will take effect. This important legislation will help protect students with food allergies. The bill encourages states to adopt laws requiring schools to have "stock" epinephrine auto-injectors on hand, such as EpiPens, that are not prescribed to a specific student but can be used for any student or staff member in an emergency.

Oakdale High School's Care Closet, known as Veronica's Care Closet, for less fortunate students is in great need of some re-stocking prior to the Christmas Break. The last day of school prior to the break is Friday, Dec. 20.

A presentation about student rights, free speech, and social media responsibility was an educational topic for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on Dec. 9.

Chinook salmon returning to spawn in the Stanislaus River at the Knights Ferry recreation area offers an opportunity for Oakdale students to learn firsthand about the habitat and life cycle of the native fish.